Revolutionizing Fitness and Productivity with AI-Driven Features

At its WWDC 2025 conference, Apple introduced two significant updates that are set to transform the way users approach fitness and productivity. The company unveiled Workout Buddy, an AI-powered workout coach that utilizes data from users’ fitness history to provide personalized coaching and encouragement during workouts. Additionally, Apple announced an updated version of its Shortcuts app, which now leverages Apple Intelligence and on-device large language models to enable more efficient automation and scripting.

Workout Buddy, built using a text-to-speech model, translates encouragement into a fun and engaging generative voice that sounds like a fitness trainer. The app gathers data from users’ current workouts and fitness history, including paces, miles logged, activity rings closed, and training load. This information is used to coach users through workouts in real-time, providing a more personalized and effective fitness experience.

The Workout app on the Apple Watch and iPhone will also receive an update, featuring a new layout with features like Custom Workout and Race Route “just a tap away.” Users will be able to select playlists or podcasts suggested based on their workout preferences or listening habits. The app will also provide personalized feedback and encouragement, marking milestones such as completing a certain number of miles or achieving a personal best time.

Meanwhile, the updated Shortcuts app is set to make automation and scripting more accessible to users. By tapping into Apple Intelligence and on-device large language models, users will be able to access intelligent actions, such as summarizing text with AI or creating images with Image Playground. This update is expected to make the Shortcuts app more user-friendly, even for those who are less technically inclined.

One of the key benefits of the updated Shortcuts app is its ability to learn and adapt to users’ habits and preferences. For example, a student could create a shortcut that uses AI to compare their audio transcription of a class lecture to their notes, then add key points they missed. The app can also tap into ChatGPT to provide further responses that feed into the shortcut’s input.

The introduction of these AI-powered features is part of Apple’s ongoing efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its products and services. The company has previously announced AI-enhanced upgrades to its virtual assistant Siri, and these latest updates are set to further revolutionize the way users interact with their devices.

Technical Details

Workout Buddy will be available starting in English across the most popular workout types.

The updated Shortcuts app will be available for testing starting Monday.

Users will be able to access Apple Intelligence and on-device large language models directly within the Shortcuts app.

The app will support intelligent actions, such as summarizing text with AI or creating images with Image Playground.

Impact on Users

The updated Workout app and Workout Buddy will provide users with a more personalized and effective fitness experience.

The updated Shortcuts app will make automation and scripting more accessible to users, even for those who are less technically inclined.

The introduction of AI-powered features will further revolutionize the way users interact with their devices.